David W. Roberts

David Walter Roberts (born December 8, 1960) is a current councilman for the city of Solana Beach, California. He is a Democratic politician and former mayor of Solana Beach.
Early life, education, and early career
Roberts was born on December 8, 1960 in Winsted, CT. His family immigrated to northwestern Connecticut in the 1630s and his family owned and operated the Hitchcock Chair Company for many years. Both his grandmother and grandfather were State Representatives in the Connecticut General Assembly and his grandfather worked in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Administration. His mother worked for U.S. Senator Prescott Bush (R-CT).

Roberts is from a Blue Star Military Family, but began his life-long affiliation with southern California at a young age when his family vacationed here in north San Diego County. In his youth, Dave portrayed Smokey Bear at local events. Dave is an Eagle Scout, recipient of the God and Country Award, a Federal 100 Technology honoree and is active in his church and local community.
After receiving his undergraduate degree in Economics/Political Science from The American University and his Master in Public Administration degree in Financial Management from the Department of Defense Graduate Level Financial Management Program, Dave’s professional career has included assignments in the Pentagon, U.S. Capitol, overseas in Germany, and Southern California. Highlights of his career include serving as a financial analyst for the U.S. Air Force at the Pentagon, an aide to United States Senator , a Democratic professional staff member for the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, a Deputy Chief of Budget Operations Support for the U.S. Air Force in Europe, a Corporate Vice President for a Fortune 500 Company, the founder and CEO of a successful employee-owned business. Dave is also a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership, as well as the U.S. Air Forces’ Air Command and Staff College and Squadron Officer School. In June 2002, Dave earned the rank of HIMSS Fellow (FHIMSS), a national recognition of his commitment to health policy based on service.

Today, Roberts is a Vice President for a nationally recognized not-for-profit association, a local elected councilman, and a federal appointee to the national Advisory Panel on Medicare Education. Roberts has played a significant role in policy discussions promoting working solutions in the areas of National Defense and Veterans Benefits, Healthcare, Fiscal Sustainability, Education, Underserved Populations, and Youth and Seniors.
Political career

Roberts was elected as Vice President of the Surfsong Condominium Home Owners Association in 1998 and to the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Solana Beach Library in 2002. In 2004, Roberts successfully won his first term to the Solana Beach City Council on his first attempt after walking to almost every home in Solana Beach. In 2008, Roberts was selected to serve as Deputy Mayor and Mayor. Because no opponents choose to run in 2008, Roberts was appointed to serve a second four year term on the Solana Beach City Council through 2012.

Some of Dave’s other community service includes serving as: Chair of the Organizing for America 50th Congressional District Health Policy Team, Immediate Past Chair and current Member of the San Dieguito River Valley Park Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors, current member and Past Chair and Vice Chair of North County Transit District Board and member of their Executive Committee, Chair of San Elijo Joint Powers Authority Board, Vice Chair of San Diego’s Consolidated Services Transportation Agency, North County Coastal representative to the SANDAG Public Safety Commission, 2nd Vice Chair of the League of California Cities’ San Diego Division Executive Committee, former San Diego League representative to the Environmental Quality Policy Committee, and former Alternate Board Member for the Polinsky Children’s Center.
Political positions

Roberts is a centrist Democrat. He has served as a precinct chair and vice-chair of the Arlington County, Virginia Democratic Party. He was awarded Democratic Precinct Chair of the Year in 1994 and Outstanding Young Democrat in 1997. In 1996, he worked full-time on President Bill Clinton’s re-election campaign in Washington, D.C., on the Veterans Desk and in 2000 he served as Al Gore’s State of California Veterans Coordinator and as the co-chair of the Veterans Salute to Vice President Al Gore at the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.

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